Vehicle seat with headrest comprising nuchal and lateral supports

ABSTRACT

A vehicle seat has a headrest with a center pad and two side pads that are laterally hinged to the center pad. The side pads are swivellable forward into a resting position and back into a supporting position. The center pad has a variable pad hardness, with a firmer pad hardness in the supporting position than in the resting position.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a vehicle seat having an upright seatingposition and an angled-back rest position, and having a headrestconnected to the vehicle seat by rods, which headrest has a center padand two side pads adjoining the center pad to right and left, the sidepads being pivotable from a swiveled-back supporting position.

A vehicle seat with headrest is known from DE 38 20 658 A1. From thebackrest of the vehicle seat, two padded parts can be extended upward tothe height of the headrest. These can serve as an additional rest padfor a vehicle passenger. The drawback with this is that the rest padsoffer only inadequate support to the head of the vehicle passenger. Theupwardly extended rest pads are lacking, moreover, in the back andshoulder regions, so that this solution offers merely a relativelyuncomfortable support.

DE 196 53 516 A1 shows a headrest for a vehicle seat, having a centerpart and two side parts. The side parts are disposed movably against thecenter part and can be brought out of a starting position alongside thecenter part into a forward head-resting position. Here, the side partsoffer only inadequate lateral support, so that the head is imperfectlysupported during cornering. Because of the position of the headrest,moreover, the head of the seat occupant is subjected to aforward-directed tilting moment, for which the seat occupant mustcompensate by tensing his neck muscles.

German utility model G 94 18 878.5 shows an upholstered headrest for achild's bicycle seat. The headrest is fastened with rubber bands to thetop side of a child's bicycle seat. It has a flexible pad, which is heldin an arc by the rubber bands and thus, in the rest position, offerslateral guidance to the head. For a normal, upright seating position thepad is unsuitable, since, on the one hand, it is very unstable and, onthe other hand, it severely restricts the view to the side.

The object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle seat whichoffers appropriate and comfortable support for the head both in theupright seating position and in a rest position. In particular, thevehicle seat is intended to offer good lateral guidance for the head andto be configured such that it promotes an upright head carriage, e.g.for driving or reading, and also a relaxed head carriage, e.g. forresting or sleeping, preferably without a forward-directed tiltingmoment acting upon the head.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a vehicle seatwherein the center pad has a variable pad hardness with a firmer padhardness in the supporting position than in the resting position.

The vehicle seat has a headrest, which headrest has a center pad and twoside pads adjoining the center pad to right and left. The center pad hasa variable pad hardness. In the supporting position, i.e. with uprighthead carriage and with side pads swiveled back into the basic position,e.g. for reading or driving, the center pad has a firmer pad hardness.The head does not then sink so deeply down into the pad and is wellsupported. There is thus no obstruction to a lateral movement of thehead and/or the side view. For a relaxed rest position, preferably withhead leant back, the side pads are swiveled forward from the basicposition into the resting position. The pad hardness of the center padis reduced in the resting position, so that the head sinks deeper intothe pad. The head is thereby held with greater bearing surface than whenresting against the harder pad.

It is envisaged that the side pads cooperate with the center pad toreduce pad hardness when swiveled forward and to increase pad hardnesswhen swiveled back. The forward-swiveled side pads can be swiveledforward from the basic position into contact with the head and thusoffer good lateral support for the head. This prevents the head fromrocking from one side of the headrest to the other side during sleepingand/or cornering.

It is envisaged, in particular, to configure the headrest contour tomatch the head shape of the back of the head and neck. The headrestthereby ensures good and comfortable support for the head in the headand neck region.

A particularly good head support is ensured by the angle of the headrestbeing adjustable relative to the vehicle seat. Thus the headrest can beadjusted such that the head and/or neck region can be optimallysupported in each seating position. Moreover, the rotation axes of theside pads can be disposed such that the head, with the side padsswiveled forward, is enveloped in the headrest from behind and issupported similarly to in a prism. A good and relaxed and also securesupport for the head is therefore obtained, even when sleeping.

In order to adapt the headrest to persons of different size, it isenvisaged that the headrest is adjustable in height. It can have anautomatically driven height-adjustment mechanism, which, for example,moves the headrest up or down relative to the seat cushion by means ofan electric linear drive, preferably a spindle drive.

The side pads of the headrest can be configured such that they aremanually adjustable. It can herein be envisaged that the side padslatch-lock in the end positions of the support and/or resting positionin order to acquire a visually attractive exterior and preventinadvertent adjustment of the side parts. In the freely adjustableintermediate positions, the side pads are held in place by friction. Thefriction is here dimensioned such that the side parts, on the one hand,cannot inadvertently be adjusted and, on the other hand, if the headshould hit hard upon the side cheeks, e.g. as the result of an accident,the latter swivel back easily and pose no risk of injury.

In one embodiment, the vehicle seat can be configured as a vehicle restseat, which has a pivotable backrest and an angle-adjustable seatsurface. The vehicle rest seat can be moved from an upright seatingposition, preferably drive position or usage position, by angling of thebackrest and/or seat surface into an angled-back rest position.

In order to be able easily to remove or exchange the headrest, this isconnected to the vehicle seat by rods engaging in the backrest. The rodscan latch-lock in the backrest and are thus held securely in place.

It is possible to use the vehicle seat according to the invention inpassenger vehicles, buses and water craft or rail vehicles. Use of thevehicle seat according to the invention as a comfortable passenger chairin aircraft is also envisaged.

Further features and embodiments of the invention can be derived fromthe claims, the figures and the description of the figures. Theaforementioned and below-stated features and combinations of featurescan be used not only in the respectively indicated combination but alsoin other combinations or in isolation, without departing from the scopeof the invention.

Further embodiments of the invention are represented and explained inthe drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1: shows a vehicle seat in the rest position with headrest,

FIG. 2: shows a perspective representation of the headrest,

FIG. 3: shows a schematic representation of the headrest in thesupporting position,

FIG. 4: shows a schematic representation of the headrest in the restingposition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In FIG. 1, a vehicle seat 1 is represented with a person in a restposition. The vehicle seat is configured as an adjustable vehicle seatwith an upright seating position, as is usual in a conventional vehicleseat, and an adjustable rest position. It has a padded backrest 14, apadded seat cushion 11 and a footrest 13. At the upper end of thebackrest 14 there is disposed a headrest 2. In the rest positionrepresented in FIG. 1, the footrest 13 is raised relative to an uprightseating position, so that the seat occupant can rest his feetcomfortably on the footrest 13. The seat cushion 11 can beangle-adjusted by means of a seat cushion adjuster 12, so that the seatcushion 11 forms a seat surface with adjustable angle.

The backrest 14 is pivotable about a swivel axis running transversely tothe seat surface, so that a more upright seating position or a morereclining rest position can be chosen.

The headrest 2 disposed at the upper end of the backrest 14 is connectedto the backrest by holding rods 24, the holding rods engaging in thebackrest 14 from above. In the backrest 14 there is disposed a receivingfixture for the rods 24, which latch-locks detachably with the rods 24.For adjustment of the height of the headrest 2, this receiving fixturehas a drive mechanism, which moves the receiving fixture up and/or downin the backrest 14. Thus the rods can engage more or less deeply in thebackrest 14 and the height of the headrest 2 can thus be adapted to theseat occupant.

The headrest 2 and/or the head pad of the headrest 2 has a contourmatched to the back of the head region and/or neck region. In addition,the angle of the headrest 2 is adjustable about a swivel axis 37disposed in the upper region of the headrest 2. Through swiveling of theheadrest 2 about this swivel axis 37, the lower region of the headrest 2can be swiveled optimally into the neck of the seat occupant and thuspromotes a relaxed head carriage. The headrest 2 thus ensures an arealsupport for the head and neck both in the upright seating position andin the angled-back reclining position. This adjustment facility and thecontour of the headrest 2, which contour is matched to the back of thehead region, have the effect, on the one hand, that the headrest 2 formsa perfect rest for the back of the head and neck of the seat occupantand, on the other hand, that the head of the seat occupant is subjectedto no tilting moment in the direction of the chin.

The structure of the headrest 2 is represented in FIG. 2. The headrest 2has a center pad 21 and two side pads 22, 23 directly adjoining thecenter pad 21 to right and left. A flexurally rigid carrier plate 25,formed, for example, from plastic, supports the pads 21, 22, 23 on therear side, facing away from the seat occupant, of the headrest 2. Thecarrier plate 25 is tripartite and has a center part 26 and two sideparts 27 and 28 pivotably connected to the center part 26. The centerpart 26 of the carrier plate 25 bears the center pad 21 and the sideparts 27 and 28 each bear a respective side pad 22 and 23.

The carrier plate 25 has on its center part two pivot bearings 35, whichpivotably connect the carrier plate 25 to the rods 24 and are disposedat the upper end, facing away from the vehicle seat, of the center part26. The two pivot bearings 35 define the swivel axis 37 about which theheadrest 2 is pivotably mounted for the angle adjustment. The angle ofthe headrest is adjusted manually, the adjusted angle being maintainedby friction clamping of the pivot bearings 35.

For improved lateral guidance of the head, the side pads 22 and 23 canbe swiveled forward from a supporting position, in which the side pads22, 23 lie flush with the center pad 21, into a resting position.

FIG. 3 shows the headrest in the supporting position of the side padsand the consequent resting of the head 36 against the center pad 21, inschematic top view. The headrest 2 has a cover 31 made from leather orsome other cover material, which, on the rear side of the headrest 2,covers the carrier plate 25 in a closed manner and, on the front side,is made separately for the center pad 21 and the side pads 22, 23. Thepads respectively have a pad core 30, 30 a, 30 b and a pad cover 31, 31a, 31 b.

The pad core 30 of the center pad 21 has an approximately cuboidal crosssection. On both sides of the center pad 21 there are disposed covermountings 33, in which the pad cover 31 of the center pad 21 is hung.The cover mountings 33 have an approximately U-shaped form with longside members placed close together. They are connected at their closedend to the carrier plate 25 and have there a rotation axis 34. The padcover 31 is introduced into the forward-facing opening of the covermountings 33 and fastened there, e.g. by clamping and/or gluing and/orwelding.

In the supporting position represented in FIG. 3, the side members ofthe cover mountings 33 are aligned approximately parallel to the sideparts of the center pad 21 and hold the cover material 31 taut over thecenter pad 21. In the supporting position, the center pad 21 thus has ahigh surface tension and a relatively hard padding. The head 36therefore has a contact surface tightly supported by the center pad 21.There is no obstruction to the lateral movement of the head and/or theside view in the supporting position. This is particularly advantageousin an erect seating position and/or when reading and/or writing in theseat.

FIG. 4 shows, at variance with FIG. 3, a resting position of theheadrest 2. Here, the side pads 22 and 23 are swiveled forward towardthe head 36. The center pad 21 and the two side pads 22 and 23 are incontact with the head 36. This is held and/or supported by the headrest2 as in a prism.

The side pads 22, 23 swivel about an axis disposed in the region of therotation axis 34 of the cover mountings. As they are swiveled, theycooperate with the cover mountings 33 by pressing them toward the centerpad 21. The pad hardness of the center pad is reduced by the covermountings 33 rotating respectively about the rotation axis 34 and thusslackening the cover 31. The side pads 22, 23 additionally compress thesurface of the pad core 30 of the center pad 21 and thus promote theslackening of the center pad 21. In the resting position, the head 36can sink deeper into the center pad 21 than in the supporting position.The contact surface between the center pad 21 and the head is therebyenlarged, producing a soft support for the head and/or a relaxed headcarriage. The soft support and the envelopment of the back of the headprevents the head from rocking when cornering in right and left-handbends, thereby allowing a relaxed head carriage and/or relaxed andcomfortable sleeping in the seat, even during travel.

As the side pads 22, 23 are swiveled back, they slacken the center pad21, so that its pad core 30 presses the cover mountings outward, so thatthese are turned back into the position represented in FIG. 3 andre-tighten the pad cover 31. The padding of the center pad 21 is thushardened and the head can no longer penetrate as deeply into the centerpad.

The side pads 22, 23 are pivoted manually. The side pads 22, 23 aremounted such that, under normal load, any chosen intermediate positionwhich is set is maintained by friction and/or friction clamping. If, ina crash, the head hits a side cheek by rebound with heavy force, thenthis can swivel back and poses no risk of injury.

1. A vehicle seat having a headrest connected to the vehicle seat byrods, wherein: the headrest has a center pad and two side pads adjoiningthe center pad to the right and left of the center pad; the side padsare pivotable about a swivel axis through intermediate angularpositions, from a swiveled-back supporting position into aswiveled-forward resting position; and the center pad has a variable padhardness which varies with the angular position of the side pads.
 2. Thevehicle seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the side pads cooperate withthe center pad to vary the pad hardness as they are swiveled.
 3. Thevehicle as claimed in claim 2, wherein the angle of the headrestrelative to the backrest is adjustable about a transverse-running swivelaxis disposed in its upper region facing away from the vehicle seat. 4.The vehicle as claimed in claim 3, wherein the headrest has a carrierplate bearing the center pad and the side pads.
 5. The vehicle seat asclaimed in claim 3, wherein the center pad has a pad core and a padcover, the pad cover being fastened in two cover mountings disposed onboth sides of the center pad and directly adjoining the pad core.
 6. Thevehicle seat as claimed in claim 5, wherein the tension of the pad covervaries the pad hardness of the center pad since the tightened pad coverhardens the surface of the center pad and the slackened pad coversoftens the surface of the center pad.
 7. The vehicle seat as claimed inclaim 6, wherein the side pads as they are swiveled forward, reduce thetension of the pad cover since the side pads press the cover mountingstoward the center of the center pad.
 8. The vehicle seat as claimed inclaim 6, wherein the cover mountings are configured as U-shaped clamprails, the clamp rails being respectively rotatable about a rotationaxis disposed approximately parallel to the carrier plate and runningalong the outer contour of the center pad.
 9. The vehicle seat asclaimed in claim 8, wherein the side pads have a swivel axis disposed torun through the rotation axis of the cover mountings.
 10. The vehicleseat as claimed in claim 2, wherein the headrest has a carrier platebearing the center pad and the side pads.
 11. The vehicle seat asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the angle of the headrest relative to thebackrest is adjustable about a transverse-running swivel axis disposedin its upper region facing away from the vehicle seat.
 12. The vehicleas claimed in claim 11, wherein the headrest has a carrier plate bearingthe center pad and the side pads.
 13. The vehicle seat as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the headrest has a carrier plate bearing the center padand the side pads.
 14. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 13, whereinthe carrier plate at its end facing away from the backrest is pivotablyconnected to the rods by a bearing and is configured such that it can beswiveled about this bearing in order to adjust the headrest angle. 15.The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 14, wherein the center pad has apad core and a pad cover, the pad cover being fastened in two covermountings disposed on both sides of the center pad and directlyadjoining the pad core.
 16. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 15,wherein the tension of the pad cover varies the pad hardness of thecenter pad since the tightened pad cover hardens the surface of thecenter pad and the slackened pad cover softens the surface of the centerpad.
 17. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 16, wherein the side padsas they are swiveled forward, reduce the tension of the pad cover sincethe side pads press the cover mountings toward the center of the centerpad.
 18. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 16, wherein the covermountings are configured as U-shaped clamp rails, the clamp rails beingrespectively rotatable about a rotation axis disposed approximatelyparallel to the carrier plate and running along the outer contour of thecenter pad.
 19. The vehicle as claimed in claim 18, wherein the sidepads have a swivel axis disposed to run through the rotation axis of thecover mountings.
 20. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 13, whereinthe center pad has a pad core and a pad cover, the pad cover beingfastened in two cover mountings disposed on both sides of the center padand directly adjoining the pad core.
 21. The vehicle seat as claimed inclaim 20, wherein the tension of the pad cover varies the pad hardnessof the center pad since the tightened pad cover hardens the surface ofthe center pad and the slackened pad cover softens the surface of thecenter pad.
 22. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 21, wherein theside pads as they are swiveled forward, reduce the tension of the padcover since the side pads press the cover mountings toward the center ofthe center pad.
 23. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 21, wherein thecover mountings are configured as U-shaped clamp rails, the clamp railsbeing respectively rotatable about a rotation axis disposedapproximately parallel to the carrier plate and running along the outercontour of the center pad.
 24. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 23,wherein the side pads have a swivel axis disposed to run through therotation axis of the cover mountings.
 25. The vehicle seat as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the center pad has a pad core and a pad cover, the padcover being fastened in two cover mountings disposed on both sides ofthe center pad and directly adjoining the pad core.
 26. The vehicle seatas claimed in claim 25, wherein the tension of the pad cover varies thepad hardness of the center pad since the tightened pad cover hardens thesurface of the center pad and the slackened pad cover softens thesurface of the center pad.
 27. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 26,wherein the cover mountings are configured as U-shaped clamp rails, theclamp rails being respectively rotatable about a rotation axis disposedapproximately parallel to the carrier plate and running along the outercontour of the center pad.
 28. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 27,wherein the side pads have a swivel axis disposed to run through therotation axis of the cover mountings.
 29. The vehicle seat as claimed inclaim 26, wherein the side pads as they are swiveled forward, reduce thetension of the pad cover since the side pads press the cover mountingstoward the center of the center pad.
 30. The vehicle seat as claimed inclaim 29, wherein the cover mountings are configured as U-shaped clamprails, the clamp rails being respectively rotatable about a rotationaxis disposed approximately parallel to the carrier plate and runningalong the outer contour of the center pad.
 31. The vehicle as claimed inclaim 30, wherein the side pads have a swivel axis disposed to runthrough the rotation axis of the cover mountings.
 32. The vehicle seatas claimed in claim 25, wherein the cover mountings are configured asU-shaped clamp rails, the clamp rails being respectively rotatable abouta rotation axis disposed approximately parallel to the carrier plate andrunning along the outer contour of the center pad.
 33. The vehicle seatas claimed in claim 32, wherein the side pads have a swivel axisdisposed to run through the rotation axis of the cover mountings.
 34. Avehicle seat assembly, including a headrest comprising: a center pad,and side pads adjoining the center pad at opposite lateral sidesthereof, said side pads being pivotable about a swivel axis throughintermediate angular positions, between a swiveled-back head supportposition and a swiveled-forward head rest position, wherein said centerpad and side pads are configured to vary the hardness of the center padas a function of the angular position of the side pads.
 35. An assemblyaccording to claim 34, wherein said center pad and side pads areconfigured to increase the hardness of the center pad when the side padsare moved from the rest position to the support position.
 36. Asassembly according to claim 35, wherein the hardness of the center padis controlled by varying tension on a center pad cover which is operablyconnected with the side pads.